In the quest for a spot at the Paris Olympics later this year, the Indian women's hockey team, led by Savita Punia, secured a decisive victory against New Zealand with a scoreline of 3-1 in their second Group B game of the tournament. Salima Tete was awarded the Player of the Match for her exceptional all-round display.
The team had previously faced a morale-crushing 0-1 loss in the FIH Women's Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi. Looking ahead, India is set to play against Italy in their final group clash scheduled for January 16.
Sangita Kumari, Udita Duhan and Beauty Dungdung found the target to hand India a 3-1 victory over New Zealand in what was a must-win FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier on Sunday.
Another critical factor in the win -- no cards. Can't remember the last time India produced such a disciplined performance. 0 cards in a match overall should be some sort of a record.
The third match under the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers was played between America and Italy on Sunday. In this seventh match of the Olympic qualifiers, America achieved its second consecutive victory. It defeated Italy 2-0. Earlier on Saturday, America had defeated host India. For America, Ashley Sessa scored one goal in the second quarter and captain Ashley Hoffman scored one goal in the fourth quarter. The third match on Sunday was played between Germany and Japan. This match played at Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Ground ended in a draw of 1-1. Earlier in the first match played, Chile had defeated Czech Republic 6-0.
Today’s victory of India is crucial as the team has kept its hope alive to qualify in Paris Olympic. Earlier, on Saturday Indian women’s hockey team lost to the USA 0-1 in its opening match of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers2024 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Saturday.
Abigail Tamer scored the winning goal of the match for the USA in the 16th minute. India, despite earning six penalty corners in the match, failed to score.
The loss will be a big blow to the Indian women’s hockey team’s aspirations of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The top three hockey teams from the eight-nation tournament will earn a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which will be held in France in July and August this year.
The top two teams from each pool (A and B) will qualify for the semi-finals.
World No. 6 India started the match on the backfoot with the USA, 15th in the hockey rankings, moving the ball around swiftly and launching relentless attacks.
India were guilty of giving away too many turnovers and were handed a wake-up call in the 11th minute. American captain Amanda Golini beat her Indian counterpart Savita Punia but fortunately for the home team, the goal was overturned by the TV umpire on an umpire’s referral.
Caption: India and New Zealand players in action at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.